Finally… my heart is warm in Africa again. After eleven days of sailing the Atlantic along the west coast of Africa with its many swells, winds, and crashing waves we arrived in the port of Lome, Togo. Warmly welcomed by drums, trumpets, and singing and dancing people- this is our home for the next 6 months- such a beautiful country full of beautiful people… yet oh so full of need.
Leah and I sweaty, but happy to be in Africa again
As soon as we pulled into port the process began of setting up the hospital to prepare for the surgeries planned for the outreach. We cleaned every square inch of the hospital, stripped and waxed floors, and set up each ward to accommodate the patients that would soon come.
The Africa Mercy Nursing Staff
During the next six months, our beds will be full of those in need of orthopedic
, maxillofacial, vesicovaginal fistula repair, and some general surgeries… And I become excited for the hospital to come alive again.. to see the children in their hospital gowns playing soccer in the hallways, the rhythmic sound of the djembe accompanied by singing and dancing, the mother crying with joy as she sees her child come back from surgery with a beautiful newly formed smile… the African people bring so much life to the ship.The process begins with screening days- where the Togolese people in need of medical assistance gather to see if there is a chance they will receive treatment. The crowds were full of those unable to see, people with massive tumors and facial disfigurements- eyes full of pain from years of rejection and isolation. Mothers were carrying their children
with limbs so contorted the child has never known what it is to walk. For many living in Togo- a country where over 50% of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day, this is their only hope for a better life.
A crowd of people waiting to be screened
My job during one of the screening days was to “pre-screen”. This is the very first process of screening. Those in line with ailments that the ship has no ability to treat are told that we will not be able to help them. This was a hard job to do- the disappointment was tangible, everyone has their own story of pain, suffering, and wishing for a better life... but this was just another “no” for people that are all too used to being told no. And so I continued my job of screening, but I knew at the end of the day I would need time to process what happened. Time to grieve the pain I saw and the people we turned away... time to pray for healing in their lives- whether that be physical or not. Time to hand the emotions felt from this experience to He who is greater than me.
There were many in line who had lost use of one or more limbs from burn contractures, those born with leg malformations severely limiting their ability to walk, if able to walk at all. I saw those whose faces disfigured by massive tumors were hidden behind a scarf or handkerchief- with just the eyes visible, but downcast to the ground as they have been taught through many years of being an outcast that they are simply too hideous to show their face in public… And I was able to be the first to tell these people, “yes, we would like to try and help you” and point them to the tent for the next stage of screening. What a joy to witness their reaction, to see their faces become full of relief and hope that this may be the day that their life is changed.
One of our first patients accepted for surgery, happy to be holding her patient card in hand
And now the hospital has been open for a full week. We have done a few surgeries
already and things have been running pretty smoothly. I am so happy to be a nurse again. It feels good. It feels right.I am so honored to be here, so grateful for the experience of being a part and a witness to the help given to the Togolese people. I want to thank the many that have prayed for me, encouraged and supported me, and helped make this possible. I have learned so much here and my life has already been changed by this experience. My heart feels so alive here- and I am now convinced that I need Africa more than Africa needs me.
